Chapter 2

Leon and I were thrown onto the red carpet in the main hall.

Cecilia lifted the hem of her gown and swept up the steps to the stage at the front of the ballroom.

"Everyone, quiet down for a moment."

The room fell silent.

Every eye turned to Leon and me.

Cecilia snapped her fingers.

The giant holographic screen behind her lit up.

On the screen was a blurry candid photo.

The photo showed a woman getting into a bulletproof black Maybach. In profile, she looked a lot like me.

And on the wrist resting against the car door, plain as day, was a very distinctive piece of jewelry.

Cecilia pointed at the screen, then at me.

"This is the tramp in that photo, the one who's been trying to pass herself off as my missing sister!

"She faked her identity and brought Leon along as a shield to climb the social ladder.

"Does she really think everyone in Sicily is blind?

"Look at the face in this photo. Doesn't it look just like her? And the jewelry on that wrist, isn't it identical to what she's wearing?"

I happened to be wearing a similar piece that day.

But anyone who knew jewelry could see that mine was carved from the finest jade, with a tiny self-defense mechanism hidden inside.

It was one of a kind. My oldest sister had it flown in overnight from a European lab just for me.

"Her profile's identical, and even the jewelry matches. It has to be her."

"Tsk. She looks so innocent, but she'd sleep with anyone to get ahead."

"And that crippled ex-Don is pitiful. He lost his territory, his wife's cheating on him, and he's still defending her like a fool."

The vicious gossip continued as the crowd turned violent. People closed in around us, shoving us and hurling whatever they could grab.

Each blow made Leon's injuries worse.

"Evelyn..."

He lay curled on the floor, his legs twisted at an unnatural angle and his breaths coming faster and faster.

The color drained from his lips until they turned a frightening shade of blue-purple.

Panic tore through me. I scrambled over and wrapped my arms around him to shield him.

"Leon! Look at me! Take deep breaths!"

My hands shaking, I searched the inside pocket of his suit jacket.

He always carried his prescription painkillers and a portable nerve-blocking pump.

My brother had the pump developed specifically for Leon's damaged nerves.

My fingers brushed the pill bottle.

But Cecilia had already come down from the stage. She ground her stiletto into the back of my hand.

She snatched the painkillers and the pump.

"You want this to save his life?"

Cecilia idly tossed the pump from hand to hand.

"Then beg me.

"Get on your knees and admit you're a fake, and I'll give it to you."

Leon's eyes were already losing focus.

With the last of his strength, he grabbed my wrist.

"Evelyn... don't beg her..."

Blood spilled from his mouth with every word.

"Cecilia!"

I jerked my head up and glared at her.

"My brother is Arthur Kane, the supreme leader of the Assassins' Alliance!

"Touch one hair on Leon's head, and the Alliance will make you pay!"

Cecilia froze for a moment, then burst out laughing.

"Arthur?

"Arthur, the supreme leader of the Assassins' Alliance?"

She laughed until tears streamed down her face.

"Have you lost your mind, or are you still dreaming?

"If you're Arthur's sister, then the head of the Council is my father!

"At least do your homework before you lie! The Alliance's inner circle didn't send anyone to Sicily today!"

It was true. My brother was supposed to be in Geneva for a meeting about dividing up the spoils.

I'd come to the banquet because I was bored and wanted a free meal.

When I said nothing, her laughter turned even more mocking.

"What? Can't come up with the rest of your story?"

She lifted her chin.

"If the Alliance had really sent people, my father would have cleared the room and groveled before them!"

Ernesto saw how bad Leon looked and stepped forward despite himself.

"Ms. Malvezzi, he needs that pump. The nerve pain could trigger cardiac arrest."

Cecilia's smile twisted into something vicious.

She slapped Ernesto hard across the face again.

"I told you, if he dies, my father will handle it!"

In front of Sicily's most powerful people, she slammed the pump against the floor.

It shattered with a sharp crack, and pale blue emergency medicine spilled everywhere.

"No!"

I lunged for it, but two bodyguards pinned me down by the shoulders.

Cecilia grabbed a fistful of my hair and forced my head back.

"Oh, so now you're worried about him?

"Then get on your knees like a good girl. Confess on the dark web that you're a shameless impostor and a liar!

"Bow your head and admit it, and I'll have someone take this cripple to an underground clinic."

Leon struggled to open his eyes.

He shook his head at me.

"Evelyn... don't kneel."

But how could I refuse to kneel when Leon had risked his life for me?

I started to lower myself to my knees.

Then something slammed into the ballroom's bulletproof doors.